Copyright owners generally have the right to authorise
or prohibit any of the following in relation to
their works:
- copying
the work in any way, including typing or scanning into a computer or storing works in
an electronic format (e.g. on a hard drive);
- issuing
copies of the work to the public;
- renting
or lending copies of the work to the public (except for lending under the Public Lending
Right Scheme, such as public library loans);
- performing,
showing or playing the work in public. For example, performing plays and music;
playing sound recordings; showing films or videos; and replaying broadcasts in public;
- broadcasting
the work or other communication to the public by electronic transmission. This
includes putting copyright material on the Internet; and
- making
an adaptation of the work, such as by translating a literary or dramatic work,
transcribing a musical work, converting a computer program into a different computer language
or code and making a model of a painting.
Anyone doing any of the above, whether intentionally or
not, without the permission or license of
the copyright owner is infringing copyright. However, note that:
- Infringement
can occur only if the whole or a substantial part of the work is involved.
‘Substantial’ is undefined, although case law suggests that content (e.g. key phrases) in
many cases is as significant as extent; and
- You
will not be able to prosecute successfully if the unauthorised act falls within one of the
copyright exceptions. For more details on copyright exceptions, see [copyright exceptions].
